YiPing Chen received a 5-year NIH grant in the fall of 2014 for $1.8 M. "Role of BMP and Wnt signaling in early tooth development"

In this project, the Chen lab will investigate how BMP and Wnt signaling pathways act in a synergistic way to regulate early tooth development and will also study the functional mechanism of a novel BMP signaling pathway in the developing tooth that was recently discovered by the Chen lab.

Jeff Tasker received a 5-year NIH grant in the spring of 2015 for $1.8 M, “Stress Facilitation of Fear Memory”.

In this project, Tasker’s lab will study how stress affects the formation of fear memories by stimulating endogenous cannabis production in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala. Their studies will provide insight into how stress affects fear and anxiety and will contribute to our understanding of anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Cell and Molecular Biology Prize:special recognition for interest, enthusiasm and proficiency in Biology.

Sherry Cui: Sherry is an outstanding young woman and an excellent researcher. A solid student, she has overcome hardship to complete her degree. Sherry was diagnosed with cancer in the summer after her sophomore year and was forced to withdraw from school to battle her disease. She returned to school in the fall of 2013 and began to do research at Children’s Hospital, which she conducted during the past two years. In the spring of 2014, she competed for a Louisiana Board of Regents SURE grant and received the largest grant awarded. Her work will be included in at least two manuscripts coming out of the laboratory of Dr. Seth Pincus.

The Gerald S. Gussack ’75 M.D. Award

This Award goes to the most outstanding graduating senior in Cell and Molecular Biology. The recipient is chosen based on excellence in Grade Point Average, creativity in honors thesis research, and a demonstration of well balanced academic achievement. The award is named in honor of the late Gerald Gussack, a Professor of Otolaryngology at Emory University School of Medicine, who was a 1975 graduate of Tulane College.

Joshua R. Ortego: Josh is the first person in his family to attend college. He worked his way through school as a pharmacy technician -- experience that he brought into the classroom and shared with his fellow students. His remarkable toughness to succeed academically with a GPA just under 3.8, while commuting and working night shifts, is a testament to his maturity and academic ability. Josh is a well-rounded young man who plays piano and guitar and is very active in his community. He will be attending medical school this fall.

The Liz Earley Prize for Proficiency in Laboratory Science: based on excellence and proficiency in laboratory science. This award is named after the late Dr. Elisabeth Earley, a long-standing, dedicated member of the Cell and Molecular Biology Department.

Gina Tram Nguyen: Gina blossomed into a first-rate undergraduate research student while at Tulane. During the summer of 2012, she became an intern for the Tulane/Xavier University Enhancing Diversity in Environmental Biology (EDEB) Project. During the past three years, she has made significant contributions to several ongoing research endeavors related to breast cancer. She has become proficient in many laboratory techniques and demonstrated perseverance at the bench. She has presented her work at national meetings, co-authored multiple abstracts, and has submitted a manuscript for publication. Gina is a well-rounded leader and selflessly gives of her time to numerous community outreach efforts. Gina was accepted into LSUHSC School of Dentistry for the fall 2015 semester.

The Professor Erik G. Ellgaard Award for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biologyfor the best Graduating Senior in Tulane/Newcomb College in Cell and Molecular Biology.

Suchi Agrawal: Suchi is an outstand student, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA at Tulane. She seeks to learn and understand information both in the classroom and the lab. Suchi pursued independent research downtown at the Tulane Cancer Center with Dr. Srikanta Dash, studying combination therapies in cancer. She also tutors on campus, helping her peers with organic chemistry and genetics. She has been active in Women in Science, a student organization that sponsors speakers and volunteer opportunities in the community. She has also held several offices including serving as president this year.

Ashlyn E. McRae: Ashlyn is an outstanding student, maintaining a GPA in excess of 3.9. Her learning is driven by an insatiable curiosity and her study skills are exemplary. She is currently devoting fifteen hours a week to a laboratory studying hepatic reperfusion injury at the Tulane Medical School. She appreciates the educational opportunities afforded by both Tulane University and the city of New Orleans, and takes advantage of the local live music scene, especially funk. She will continue her education in medical school this fall.

The Senior Honors Thesis Award in Cell and Molecular Biology

Sara N. Karnes: Sara is a double major in Cell and Molecular Biology and Jewish Studies with an overall GPA of nearly 3.8. Sara joined Dr. Shusheng Wang’s lab in 2012 as a work-study student, and then, after a semester abroad in Copenhagen, returned to pursue her research interests. Her research in the Wang lab has culminated in her honors thesis work on the role of a microRNA molecule in vascular development. She was a finalist for a Fulbright Fellowship to teach English as a second language in South Korea. Sara will be entering medical school in the fall.

Honors Program – Senior Scholar Award

Janell D. Cyprich: Janelle is an outstanding student who has excelled in her course work and in the laboratory. Her cumulative GPA is in excess of 3.85. Her honors thesis dealt with empiric risk factors affecting stroke patients’ outcomes. She worked with a team downtown mining a large dataset, and this work promises to lead to multiple publications. She was a double major in Cell and Molecular Biology and Neuroscience, taking courses in both majors that enhanced her research. Janelle is a true scholar who understands the importance of inquiry.